Splice for vehicle shaft-poles.



J. M. CLARK.

SPLICE FOR VEHICLE SHAFT POLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I. 1915.

1 ,1 58,895. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

' SPLICE'FOR VEHICLE SHAFT-POLES.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed March 1, 1915. Serial No. 11,366.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES M. CLARK, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Stonington, in the county ofChristian and tate of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Splices for Vehicle ShaftPoles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. v

This invention relates to an improved splice or connection for vehicle. shaft poles, tongues, guide rails, and similar instances where two parts are to be rigidly connected or joined together.

It is the primary object of the present invention to providea splice member in the form of a single integral casting which may be very easily and quickly applied to retain the two parts rigidly in connection with each other and hold the same against relative movement.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a splice or joint member embodying a cast metal sleeve or thimble having an interior intermediately located web integrally connecting the opposed walls thereof, one of the partsto be connected being provided with a kerf to receive said web, whereby undue strains upon the other walls of the splicing sleeve is obviated. The invention has for an additional object to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device for the above purpose which, if desired, may be heated and subsequently shrunk upon the connected parts.

lVith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the two sections of a draft tongue or pole connected together by means of my improved splice; Fig. 2 is a vertical section; and Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the splice member.

-Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 and 6 designate the two sections of the draft tongue which are to be connected or spliced together. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the splicing sleeve or thimble 7 is in the form of a continuous cast metal body of rectangular form in cross-section; but it will be obvious that, in other uses of my invention, this leeve 7 may be made in various cross-sectional forms. The splicing sleeve 7 is formed interiorly thereof and intermediate of its ends, with an integral partition or abutment wall 8, and a longitudinally extending tongue or web 9 projects from one side of this plate and is integrally formed therewith and with the opposed side walls of the cylinder. Ihe tongue section 6 is provided with a longitudinally extending horizontal kerf 10 in its end, which is to be inserted into one end of the splicing sleeve 7. This kerf receives the horizontal web 9,and said web minimizes the tendency of the tongue section to exert a vertical pressure against the upper or lower walls of the splicing sleeve. It will be understood that one'end of the other tongue 5 is inserted into the opposite end of the sleeve 7, and the opposed ends of these tongue sections and 6 abut against the opposite faces of the intermediate division wall 8. After the tongue sections have thus been inserted into the ends of the splicing sleeve, horizontally and vertically disposed bolts, indicated at 12, are inserted through openings formed in the tongue sections and coinciding openings which are provided in the walls of the splicing sleeve. Suitable nuts are, of course, threaded on one of the ends of these bolts. The ends of the parts of the broken shaft or pole which are uneven or ragged must be trimmed 01?, and this results in a shortening of the pole. In order to obviate this de- -fieiency and provide a pole of approximately the original length after it is spliced, the outer pole section 6 may be adjusted in the splicing member longitudinally of the web 9, before the holes are bored for the reception of the bolts 10. In this manner, the tongue sections are rigidly secured within the splicing sleeve and braced against relative movement either vertically or longitudinally with respect to said sleeve. In the event, however. that the splice connection should become loose, owing to shrinkage of the wooded sections of the tongue, the metal splicing sleeve may be heated to a high degree and then cooled and shrunk upon the wooden tongue sections, thus effecting a tight and rigid connection between the parts.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction, manner of operation, and

several advantages of my invention will be clearly and fully understood. The splicing device may be inexpensively produced in the inn srarns en rant @FFEQE.

form of a single casting, and is, therefore, also extremely strong and durable. The connection between the two parts may be very easily and quickly made, and the tongue or pole be practically ofequal Strength to that which was originally inherent therein.

While I have shown and described the preferred formrand arrangement of the several structural features of my invention, it is apparent that the same is susceptible of considerable modification therein; and I, therefore, reserve the privilege of resorting to allsuch legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied Within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

[Having thus fully described my invention, what I de'sire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is r The combination with the parts to be connected, one of said parts having a longitudi- I nally extending kerf invits end, of means I for connecting said parts consisting of a Copies of this patent may be obtained for rectangular body provided with a central transverse divislonwall, and awebextendtegrally formed with the other parallel walls of the body and terminating at a point sub-- stantially midway between the divisionwall and one end'of the body, said web being I adapted to be received in the kerfprovided in one of the parts and said part adjusted longitudinally With respect to said web, and fastening bolts disposed through the Walls of the body member and through said parts and also through said longitudinal web and the part engaged thereby.

In testlmony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature 1n the presence of two Witnesses.

lVitnesses: v

' James E. HUMPHREYS,

05. W. CUTHBERT.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,- Washington, D. G.

JAMES MADISON CLARK; 

